Avenira secures technology for battery cathode manufacturing

Phosphate chemicals producer Avenira has secured a manufacturing technology partner for its proposed lithium ferro phosphate (LFP) battery cathode materials plant planned for Darwin in the Northern Territory.

The company, which is developing a phosphate mine at Wonarah in the Territory and a cathode plant at Darwin’s Middle Arm Sustainable Development Precinct, signed a technology partnership with Taiwan’s Advanced Lithium Electrochemistry (Aleees) to use its IP to manufacture cathode active material.

Aleees is a LFP battery materials producer and one of the few companies outside China with complete LFP manufacturing capabilities and patents for electric vehicle storage systems.

Avenira Executive Chairman Brett Clark said: “The agreements build on the strong working relationship we have established with Aleees over the last 12 months, and which will now gather further momentum as we progress feasibility studies for the LFP project.”

Avenira pans a staged development at Middle Arm with an initial 5,000 to 10,000 tonne capacity, and the ability to expand production to 30,000 tonnes.

Cathode active materials determine the cost, durability, safety, efficiency and overall performance of Lithium-ion batteries, with LFP cathodes competing with other battery chemistries.

Avenira will pay an initial US$2 million licensing fee to Aleees this year, with a further US$2 million payable when the project is fully funded and ready to begin construction. Further US$500,000 payments are payable on completion of construction and on first production and sale of LFP cathode active material.

Some of the initial payment may be made in the form of shares, subject to agreement by the parties.

Clark said: “In the meanwhile the LFP market continues to grow strongly, with LFP an emerging favourite in the expanding EV market, with factors driving this popularity including superior safety, longevity, cost-effectiveness and environmental sustainability.”

Picture: Avenira